DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY

The VCU will offer to a limited number of highly qualified seminary graduates the opportunity for advanced theological study leading to the degree of Doctor of Theology. The VCU's Th.D. program emphasizes independent research as well as a teaching, organizational, and communication skills and knowledge requisite to a ministry of scholarly research, writing, and teaching.

The Doctor of Theology program provides a two or three-year curriculum for students having completed a recognized three-year M. Div. and two-year Th.M. program in graduate theological studies for those preparing for responsible positions of Christian leadership.

This program requires forty five(45) hours of course work including 30 hours of required courses for major field. Fifteen semester hours shall be in the student's elective field including six semester hours of credit for the dissertation. Consult the divisional director for details.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

The VCU seeks to encourage students who wish to advance to the highest level of theological scholarship. It is the goal of the Th. D. program to offer qualified seminary graduates the opportunity for advanced study in one of the subjects embraced in M. Div. curriculum of this seminary.
The purpose of the doctoral program in Theological Studies is to assist students in developing advanced skills for ministry and teaching.

PROGRAM CONTENT

1. Independent Study

There are no specific course requirements for the Doctor of Theology degree. In consultation with his faculty advisor, the candidate will choose an area of study and develop a reading list in that area. The extent of the reading required must satisfy the candidate's advisor so that both breadth and depth of exposure to the subject is attained.

The candidate may wish to take advantage of the extensive library holdings of the major universities in the VCU area in order to meet this requirement. Through regular meetings with his faculty advisor the candidate's progress in his understanding of the subject of study will be measured. Upon the recommendation of the candidate's advisor - who must be satisfied that competency in the area of study commensurate with a doctorate has been attained- the candidate will proceed to the status of full candidacy for the Th.D. degree.

2. Teaching Practicum

This segment of the Doctor of Theology program is designed to enable the candidate to sharpen his communication and organizational skills as well as his teaching abilities. To fulfill this requirement the candidate will serve as a registered Teaching Fellow of the VCU during his last year of study.

Normally, the candidate will have sustained the reading requirement as outlined under Independent Study before registering as a Teaching Fellow. In consultation with his faculty advisor the Teaching Fellow will be responsible for assisting a professor in classroom instruction, usually in his chosen area of study.

3. The Doctoral Dissertation

The capstone of the Doctor of Theology program is the dissertation requirement. The topic of the dissertation is suited to the interests of the candidate, but must deal with the candidate's chosen area of study. The Th.D degree may be earned following the successful completion of 45 semester hours including a project / thesis of approximately 30,000 words(or letter size 250 page) concluded by oral examination before the entire Faculty. The normal time for the completion of the degree is two to three years.

The dissertation must

1. be an original work comprising a satisfactory record of research undertaken by the candidate, and a satisfactory critical survey of knowledge in the approved subject of study;

2. show competence in the method of research and/or adequate knowledge of the subject of study;

3. be satisfactory in literary presentation and include adequate references;

4. be successfully defended by the candidate before the full faculty.

RESIDENCY AND DEGREE RE QUIREMENTS

The grounds for awarding the Th.D. degree are:

1. Demonstration of competency in the chosen area of study. Competency may be determined by oral and/or written exams done in consultation with the candidate's faculty advisor.

2. The research, writing, and successful defense of a dissertation which offers a substantial contribution to the understanding of a subject embraced in the M.Div. curriculum of this seminary.

The Doctor of Theology program requirers two years of full time resident study beyond the M.Div. program and at least one year beyond the Th.M. program both. A dissertation proposal must be submitted and approved no later than the end of the first year of study. The reading requirement should be sustained before the candidate enters his third semester of study. There is a three year time limit for completing the program which may be extended by faculty vote.

ADMISSION

Admission directly to the Doctor of Theology program is restricted to highly qualified M.Div. graduates of VCU. Graduates of other approved institutions desiring to study for the Th.D. degree at VCU must first apply for the Master of Theology(Th.M.) program outlined elsewhere in this catalogue.

If admitted to that program, and after successfully completing the requirements for the Th.M. degree, the Candidate may be permitted to proceed as a full candidate for the Doctor of Theology degree. However, successful completion of the Th.M. program does not guarantee that the candidate will be permitted to proceed to the Th.D. program. In all cases admission to study for the VCU's Th.D. degree is only by invitation of the faculty.

FIELDS OF CONCENTRATION

Students may select one of two areas of specialty: Practical Theology, Systematic Theology/ Intercultural Ministries. Nine elective semester hours of study as well as the thesis (see below) must be completed in the area of specialty;

Major Field of Th.D........30 Credits

OT 825. Seminar in O T Textual Criticism (3)
NT 828. Seminar in Biblical Hermeneutics (3)
PT 715. Seminar in Discipleship in Ministry of the Church (3)
PTE 713. Seminar in Models of Urban Ministry (3)
PTE 714. Seminar in Methods of Church Growth (3)
CH 716. Seminar in The Origins of Covenant Theology (3)
ST 613. Seminar in The Theology of John Calvin (3)
ST 819. Seminar in Themes in Puritan Theology (3)
ST 820. Seminar in Topics in the Doctrine of Man (3)
ST 800. Seminar in Trinitarianism (3)

General/ Elective..................................9 Credits
The dissertation.................................... 6 Credits.

Total 45 Credits